Directorate of Linkages

Repositioning the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi for National and Global Competitiveness

 

BRIEF HISTORY

The Directorate of Linkages is a Division under the Vice-Chancellor’s office.  It was established on 14th January, 2002, with the aim of improving the image of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi through cooperation with institutions, organizations, agencies and individuals with similar objectives with the University located both within and outside Nigeria. The core mandate of the directorate is to train, discover, transmit and preserve knowledge beyond Nigeria borders.

Prof. N. M. Useh, FRSB is the Director of Linkages. The Directorate has outlined a cocktail of activities in the next five (5) years (2017-2022) to reposition the University for national and global competitiveness in tandem with the “repositioning” mantra of Prof. A. R. Kimbir’s administration.

 

Director

Prof. N. M. Useh, FRSB   

Email: linkages@uam.edu.ng, useh.nicodemus@uam.edu.ng, nicodemus.useh@fulbrightmail.org

 

MANDATE

To evolve a proactive approach and development agenda for the University, geared towards creating cooperation with reputable institutions and funding agencies for greater visibility of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi for national and global competitiveness.

MISSION

To identify institutions, organizations and agencies with similar objectives and the University both nationally and globally for the purpose of cooperation, especially in areas such as staff development, research and development (R & D), staff and student exchange programmes etc. The Directorate continually aspire to foster mutually beneficial relationship between the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and national/ international Universities, industries, multinational agencies or corporations and other organizations for sustainable development.

VISION

To improve the image of the University through cooperation with institutions, organizations, agencies and individuals with similar objectives.

SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS

  • Identify and establish linkages with national and international institutions in order to promote capacity building, research and academic programme collaborations.
  • Coordinate existing exchange and linkage programmes and initiate new ones in respect of academic staff and students study abroad programmes,
  • Draft negotiations leading to the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with international institutions.
  • Develop a profile of the University that identify our areas of strength and weaknesses in academic programmes, research, staffing and development in consultation with the Vice Chancellor
  • Handle academic staff development and training intervention of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) by nominating academic staff to benefit from TETFund academic staff training and development awards and National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) Assessment Intervention Fund.
  • Facilitate the establishment of collaborative research agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in order to foster funding and increase research output.
  • Identify institutions, organizations and agencies with similar objectives with Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, both nationally and globally for the purpose of cooperation, especially in areas such as staff development, research, staff and student exchange programmes etc.
  • Liaise with such individuals, agencies, organizations and corporation from time to time on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor for linkage purposes after due consultation with him.
  • Prepare a “shopping list” of areas of cooperation and development and advice the Vice-Chancellor on appropriate interventions.
  • Engage in any cooperative activity that will lead to the realization of the goals of the University.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DIRECTORATE

Since inception, the University, through the Directorate  signed many Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and sponsored two hundred and three (203) academic Staff for postgraduate studies through the support of TETFund and NEEDS Intervention in various Universities both within and outside Nigeria. With the signed MoUs as the nexus, the University acquired teaching and learning materials including the placement of students on Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).

 

Staff of Linkages